The campaign of U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre on Monday announced endorsements from 75 percent of the mayors in the 7th Congressional District.

To be exact, the McIntyre campaign says the incumbent enjoys the backing of 62 of the 81 mayors in the district, which includes all or parts of 12 Southeastern North Carolina counties. Local backers listed include Beulaville Mayor Kenneth Smith in Duplin County and Pender County’s Howard Braxton, mayor of Topsail Beach, and Surf City Mayor Zander Guy, all Democrats. The list also contains five Republican mayors and three unaffiliated mayors from Brunswick County.

McIntyre, a Democrat from Robeson County, is seeking a ninth, two-year term in Congress against Republican David Rouzer of Johnston County. It is one of the most closely watched and expensive U.S. House races in the country.

“Their commitment and dedication to our team is a true sign that we always strive to work in partnership to help citizens and communities,” McIntyre said of the mayors’ support.

Rouzer, a state senator who represents Johnston and Wayne counties, responded by saying that endorsements are “one of the advantages of incumbency.”

“What else are they going to do? He’s been there 16 years,” Rouzer said. “But you know, the people of the district will have their say, and we’ll see how she shakes out.”

The Rouzer campaign also said Rouzer is endorsed by state senators representing the district, including Sens. Thom Goolsby of New Hanover County; Brent Jackson of Duplin, Lenoir and Sampson counties; and Wesley Meredith of Bladen and Cumberland counties. They are all Republicans.

Among the mayors endorsing McIntyre is Leland Mayor Brenda Bozeman, an unaffiliated voter who has been on the town council there for about half of McIntyre’s 16 years in Congress.

“He listens to us when we call,” Bozeman said. “He’s not a ghost representative.”

Bozeman also said McIntyre visits the area often when not in Washington, D.C. She said she hasn’t met Rouzer.

“If it’s not broke, why try to fix it?” she said.

The McIntyre campaign held news conferences in Wilmington and Southport Monday to tout the endorsements.

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Here is a list of the mayors who support McIntyre, not including those Sampson County, which will be announced later, the McIntyre campaign said.